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Metal Arts Guild of Georgia
Metalsmithing Overview
Metalsmithing is a time-honored craft that involves working with various metals, such as silver, gold, copper, and iron, to create functional or decorative objects. It encompasses a range of techniques, including forging, soldering, casting, and texturing, to manipulate and shape metal into intricate forms.
Metalsmiths use a combination of hand tools and specialized equipment to transform raw metal materials into items like jewelry, sculptures, utensils, and more, often showcasing their artistry and craftsmanship through the unique designs and finishes they apply to their creations. This ancient art form continues to thrive today, blending traditional techniques with modern innovations.
History and Evolution of Metalsmithing
Metalsmithing, one of humanity's most ancient crafts, has an intricate history that spans thousands of years and many cultures. Originating in the Bronze Age, when early civilizations discovered how to extract metal from ore, artisans began to forge, shape, and decorate metal objects. As societies progressed, so did the techniques and applications of metalsmithing.
Metalsmithing, one of humanity's most ancient crafts, has an intricate history that spans thousands of years and many cultures. Originating in the Bronze Age, when early civilizations discovered how to extract metal from ore, artisans began to forge, shape, and decorate metal objects. As societies progressed, so did the techniques and applications of metalsmithing.
Image courtesy of York Museums Trust ::
https://yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk :: CC BY-SA 4.0
During the Medieval period, guilds were formed, and the craft became highly specialized, leading to the creation of masterpieces in silver, gold, and iron. With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, metalsmithing saw a shift from handcrafted works to machine-produced items, but the fundamental techniques remained largely unchanged.
In our modern era, metalsmithing has experienced a renaissance, especially among artists and hobbyists. The craft's rich history serves as a source of inspiration, connecting contemporary enthusiasts to ancient traditions. The availability of workshops, online tutorials, and community groups has democratized the craft, allowing anyone with an interest to learn and apply age-old techniques. Moreover, some artists explore the fusion of traditional methods with modern technologies like 3D printing, creating a blend of the old and new.
The preservation of this ancient craft in our fast-paced, technology-driven world is a testament to its enduring appeal and relevance. Artists, by embracing and evolving these age-old techniques, are not just indulging in a satisfying pastime but are also keeping a vital part of human heritage alive and thriving. Whether fabricating a simple piece of jewelry or a complex sculpture, they continue to honor the legacy of metalsmithing, proving that the craft's beauty and significance are far from being relics of the past.
Basics of Metalsmithing: Tools, Techniques, and Metals
Metalsmithing Tools
Metalsmithing can involve hundreds of tools that each serve a highly specific purpose, but a beginner metalsmith only needs a few essentials to start learning the craft and making awesome projects.
A basic beginner kit might include
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a jeweler’s saw and sawblades
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pliers (round nose, flat nose, chain nose)
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various files
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a variety of sandpaper sticks
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an anvil or steel bench block
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a bench pin
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a chasing hammer
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a riveting hammer
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dividers
Metalsmithing Techniques
Some of the basic techniques in metalsmithing are
Forging
A method involving the shaping of metal through compressive forces. This often entails hammering the metal against an anvil or stake to create specific shapes and designs.
Annealing
This process consists of heating the metal to a certain temperature, then cooling it to make it more pliable and easy to work with, especially when the metal has become hardened.
Soldering
A technique used to join two pieces of metal by melting a filler metal between them. The filler metal, having a lower melting point, bonds the pieces together upon cooling.
Sawing
A process in which a jewelers saw, similar to a coping saw in woodworking, is used to cut shapes in metal
Filing
A file is a piece of hardened steel with many small sharp teeth cut into its surfaces which can cut into, smooth, sharpen and shape metal.
Texturing
The process of manipulating metal through various methods to alter the look and feel of the metal’s surface. Examples include engraving, chasing (embossing), repousse (hammering metal from the underside), and roller printing using a rolling mill.
Casting
The process of pouring or injecting molten metal into a mold. Check out our page on Wax Casting to learn more!
Metalsmithing Metals
Some of the most popular metalsmithing metals for beginners are
Copper
Copper is a favorite among beginners due to its malleability and affordability. Its soft nature allows for easy shaping and forging, making it an excellent choice for those learning the fundamentals of metalsmithing. The beautiful reddish-brown color of copper also adds aesthetic appeal to finished pieces.
Brass
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, offers a balanced blend of durability and workability. Its golden appearance is attractive, and its resistance to tarnishing makes it suitable for various projects. Brass's moderate hardness is forgiving for beginners but still offers a bit of a challenge.
Bronze
Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin (and sometimes other metals) is harder and more brittle than brass, but still workable for many applications. It has a reddish-brown color, popular for sculpture, bells, and cymbals.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver, an alloy containing 92.5% silver, is highly prized for jewelry making. Though slightly more challenging to work with than copper or brass, its beautiful luster and value make it a popular choice. It provides a step up in complexity for those looking to advance their skills.
Metals for more advanced metalsmiths:
Gold
Gold does not tarnish and has great workability, making it a preferred option for many jewelers. Pure gold (24 karat) is very soft, so it is usually alloyed with other metals to increase its durability. Common metals added to gold are silver, copper, nickel, iron, zinc, tin, manganese, cadmium, and titanium. The type and ratio of other metals added to gold will also change its color. You can find different karats of gold in yellow, white, pink (rose), and even some with a green or blue hue.
Platinum
Platinum is a white metal that is heavier, rarer, and more expensive than gold. It is highly sought after for engagement and wedding rings due to its value and durability. It has an extremely high melting point and is resistant to corrosion. Casting platinum can prove difficult due to its tendency to “freeze” prior to filling the mold.
To learn more about metalsmithing techniques and the materials involved, check out our list of classes and get signed up before spots run out!